Jetsetter: Wii U sales jump 685-percent in the UK

We’ve had some wildly conflicting emotions over the past couple of months. On the one hand, there are scads of exciting import only games either out now or on the horizon. This column exists because of the long history of games like Yakuza 5 and Phantasy Star Nova staying trapped in Japan. It’s great that these treasures are out there, waiting to be plucked up by intrepid importers. On the other hand, those two examples are entries in game series that have traditionally been released internationally, which means that many publishers are still content to not bother localizing games outside of their native shores when they may only be played by a small audience. That’s bad for people who might want to try something different but aren’t willing to try imported games.

Then again, you never know when strange games will come to the U.S.

Square-Enix announced it’s localizing the PlayStation 3 exclusive Drakengard 3 for release in 2014, a sequel to a decade old PlayStation 2 series that was only kind of popular in its native Japan. Maybe the niche isn’t dead at all, just dormant. What else is coming out abroad that may end up as just an importer’s delight?

Square-Enix brings (almost) the complete Dragon Quest series to iOS and Android.

These are tough times for Dragon Quest fans. The grandpappy of all JRPGs enjoyed a western renaissance last decade. Starting with the release of Dragon Quest VIII on PlayStation 2 in late 2005 – the first game to ever bear the series’ original name in the U.S. – Square-Enix brought an unprecedented number of the role-playing games across the Pacific. Dragon Quest V and VI got their first ever English releases on the Nintendo DS, and side series like Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime even got localized. As this decade’s unfurled, though, the series has disappeared. Nintendo 3DS games, like the grand remake of Dragon Quest VII and the brand new Rocket Slime 3, have been ignored by Nintendo and Square-Enix alike, and even bigger games like Dragon Quest X, the MMO for Wii, Wii U, and PC, are practically mythical outside Japan.

There is some new hope for the series. Square-Enix announced this past week that the vast majority of the core series is going mobile. Dragon Quest I through VIII is coming to iOS and Android soon. This marks the very first time Dragon Quest VIII will be released on a platform besides the PlayStation 2. It’s great that more people will get to play one of the finest RPGs ever made, but the game’s grand vistas and dungeons may be wasted on such small screens.

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD gives Wii U a big boost in the UK.

Things have not been going the Wii U’s way anywhere on Earth, as we’ve discussed numerous times over the past year, but Nintendo’s latest console has done especially bad in the United Kingdom. Sales have been downright terrifying. Asda, a British retail chain, went as far as to stop selling Wii U altogether. Leave it to a classic series to save the day for Nintendo. Wii U sales are up a whopping 685-percent in the United Kingdom according to Nintendo. It’s all thanks to the newly released The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, which debuted as the number 4 best-selling game in the U.K. last week. Evidence suggests that software really has been the sticking point with Nintendo’s latest system. It’ll be interesting to see if future releases like Super Mario 3D World and Mario Kart 8 will help maintain the console going forward.

AMD will be holding a pre-Computex keynote on May 27 to announce its new line of 3rd-generation Ryzen processors and accompanying Radeon Navi graphics cards. Here's how to watch the keynote live wherever you are in the world.

AMD's Navi graphics cards could be available as soon as July 2019 — as long as it's not delayed by stock problems. Billed as a successor to Polaris, Navi promises to deliver better performance to consoles like Sony's PlayStation 5.

E3 2019 is quickly approaching, and it will feature conferences from some of the biggest game publishers in the world. Here is the E3 2019 conference schedule, as well as what we think will be at the show.

The Google Play Store is loaded with both terrific and terrible gaming titles. We vetted the store to bring you some of the best Android games available, whether you're into puzzles, shooters, racing games, or something else entirely.

The weekly vendor in Destiny 2: Forsaken always brings Exotic weapons and armor, some of the toughest loot to find in the game. Here's everything you need to know to track down Xur: Where he is, when he shows up, and what he's stocking.

The season 9, week 3 challenges in Fortnite: Battle Royale have arrived and the biggest obstacle tasks players with throwing and catching a flying disc toy. Here's how to unlock the disc and complete this challenge.

Age of Learning’s follow-up to ABCmouse is an educational MMO called Adventure Academy. Targeted at kids ages 8-13, Adventure Academy has a comprehensive curriculum and all of the rewarding trappings of a modern MMO.

Even in our increasingly connected world, you don't always have an internet connection on the go. To help you pass the time when you're disconnected, we compiled a list of the best Android games that can be played offline.

Disney is developing a trilogy based on the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic video game, but even the Jedi are going to have trouble overcoming the long, disappointing history of subpar game-to-movie adaptations.

Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri is making noise with his newly proposed bill that aims to tackle pay-to-win micro-transactions and loot boxes in video games played by kids. But what would the bill do, exactly?

After the reveal of a loot box and microtransaction ban bill, the ESA put out an official response. The organization's CEO says the bill doesn't reflect how the gaming industry works and will be harmful to gamers.

With Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers right around the corner, now's the time to give the game a shot. From hyper-difficult battle content to relaxing card games, our FFXIV beginner's guide will ease you into all of Eorzea's finest…

Some of the deals at the Gamestop Memorial Day sale include PS4 and Xbox bundles that come with essential games like God of War or Forza Horizon 3. If you're just looking to scoop up games, used titles are 50% off throughout the event.